ISLAM Flashcards
What are the 4 books Muslims identify as sacred texts?
Abrahamic scrolls, Psalms, Gospels and Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main source of authority and presents rules and guides for the lives of Its adherents.
Why is the Qu’ran so significant?
The Qur’an is so deeply regarded as it is viewed as the final word of God as revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. It is seen as Muhammad’s most important miracle and proof of his significance. The Qur’an deals with the principles of belief and presents Muhammad as an example of God’s message. It also gives information about the nature of God.
When is the Qur’an not considered the sacred text?
When it is translated into other languages. It is only sacred when in Arabic
How many chapters are in the Qur’an and what literay style are they in?
There are 114 chapters (sura’s)
They are in rhyming prose (poetry)
The chapters were named and divided by Muhammad who supervised the writing process.
When was the Qur’an written?
It was written in 654CE
What are the 4 beliefs of Islam?
Monotheism
Resurrection
Justice
Prophet-hood
What are the 4 types of revelations?
Natural Law
Animal instincts
Inspiration to human heart
Formal revelation to an appointed messenger
What is formal revelation to an appointed messenger?
How the Qur’an came about - through prophets and transcendent experiences
What are the 5 pillars of faith and what do they mean?
Salat: ritual prayer, completed 5 times a day
Shahada: sincerely reciting Muslim profession of faith
Zakat: alms-giving, paying charity/tax to benefit the poor
Haji: pilgrimage to Mecca
Sawn: fasting during the month of Ramadan
What is the importance of the 5 pillars of faith?
They are the framework of a Muslim’s life. Shows they put faith first not secular life.
What are the rules regarding handling the Qur’an?
Wudu/ablution - ritual cleansing before touching it
Mutahiroon = someone that is clean and purified
Should be kept on a high shelf
Cannot touch it if you are menstruating or had intercourse. Non Muslims should not handle it in Arabic, barriers should be used.
What is the Hadith?
The sayings and actions of Muhammad. Information about prayer and worship, Halal and Haram, life after death etc.
Did Muhammad have a role in the authorship of the Qur’an?
Muhammad had no role in the authorship of the Qur’an (directly from God). This is evident due to its rich literary eloquence while Muhammad was illiterate.
How many parts, pages, chapters and verses are in the Qur’an?
30 juz (equal parts) 604 suhuf (pages) 114 suras (chapters) 6238 ayahs (verses)
Have any original copies survived to today?
2 original copies still exist today
What is Sirat-al-Mustaqeem?
The straight and balanced path in one’s personal and social life
Should the Qur’an be read silently?
No. Qur’an literally means recitation and was written to be read aloud and listened to.
What is Sunnah?
The practices, customs and traditions of Muhammad that are considered to be a ‘model,’ found in the hadith and other texts
What is the term for someone who has memorised the Qur’an?
When people memorise it, they are given the title ‘guardian’ when they ‘carry the Qur’an in their hearts.’ The male title is hafiz and the female title is hafizah
How is Islam unique in terms of the canon?
Islam is unique in the sense that it only contains one book in the Canon.
